Cats abandoned
in ‘squalid’ house

One of the cats belonging to Ann Davies who pleaded guilty to neglecting her two cats.

Published:07:30Monday 11 June 2012

Share this article

A WOMAN caused neglect that led to the death of her two cats after she abandoned them in a house that was “piled high” with rubbish, a court heard.

Ann Davies, 59, of no fixed address, was living with the cats in “squalid” conditions at a house in Ashleigh Avenue, Pontefract, before leaving them in the house for six days.

Wakefield Magistrates’ Court heard that the house was full of rubbish and animal excrement when the cats were found there in February.

Andrew Davidson, prosecuting, told the court RSPCA officers monitored the house and found Davies had not been to the property between January 30 and February 4.

He said: “Entry was gained to the property and the RSPCA officers were met with a simply squalid scene.

“It was piled high with rubbish and hundreds of bottles containing an unspecified liquid. There was faeces all over the floor, which appeared to be animal.

“There was not any area in the property that wasn’t piled high with this rubbish.”

Mr Davidson said RSPCA inspector Sally Wren found the two cats had missing hair and were extremely frightened. They were taken to see a vet and were found to be severely underweight, covered in excrement, with fleas and dermatitis.

Blood tests showed there was no indication of any underlying conditions that would have caused the cats’ hair loss.

While in the care of the RSPCA, one if the cats was found dead in his cat box on March 4 and the second had to be put to sleep on March 7 after developing respiratory problems.

Mr Davidson said Davies had told the RSPCA that her key had broken in the lock of the property and she was unable to get in touch with the landlord.

But he added: “It’s likely the neglect occurred for a substantial period of time prior to these dates.

“The cats struggled to recover from the effects of the starvation that they had undergone previously.”

Speaking after the court hearing, RSPCA inspector Sally Wren said the conditions were some of the worst she had come across.

Michael Devlin, representing Davies, said she had lost control of her life following illness and the ill-health of her son, who lived with her and had kidney failure.

Davies pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide an appropriate diet and a suitable environment for each of the cats.

She was fined £100, given a 12-month conditional discharge and a lifetime ban from keeping or caring for animals.